Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was today (Tuesday, January 7) expected to announce the deployment of troops to the Gulf ahead of a possible conflict and Tony Blair was issuing a bleak warning on the dangers of failing to tackle Iraq's arsenal of weapons.>

The two-pronged message from the Government came as it emerged that HMS Liverpool and HMS Ark Royal are leaving for the Gulf as part of a Royal Navy task force this weekend.>

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HMS Liverpool heads towards Gulf>

by Emma Gunby, Liverpool Echo

THE CREW of HMS Liverpool are heading to the Gulf to play a possible lead role in a war with Iraq.

The 280 sailors on board the warship will deploy to the Gulf and Asia-Pacific Regions as part of a British taskforce led by HMS Ark Royal.

Officially the purpose of the deployment is to take part in joint naval exercises with key allies in the Far East this summer.

But its course will take it to the Gulf region, heightening speculation that it is being readied for possible operations against Iraq.

The move comes amid growing expectation at Westminster that Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is preparing to make a Commons statement on further British troop deployments - possibly as early as tomorrow.

He is expected to announce the mobilisation of up to 7,000 reservists.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said: "The MOD announced on 29 November 2002 that a Royal Navy task group would deploy to the Asia Pacific region in 2003 to take part in Flying Fish, an exercise with the UKs partners under the Five Power Defence Arrangement, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

"A naval task group is routinely deployed on exercises around the world every three years.

"The 2003 deployment will be led by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal escorted by the destroyer HMS Liverpool."

HMS Liverpool is the tenth of the class of Type 42 Destroyer and the seventh ship to bear the name.

She was built by Cammell Laird, in Birkenhead and launched on September 25 1980 by Lady Strathcona.

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Ark Royal's voyage through history>

by Pat Hurst, PA News

THE Ark Royal is the Royal Navy's biggest ship and the service's flagship aircraft carrier with impressive firepower and capability.

At 20,000 tonnes and 210 metres long, she is larger than sister ships HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious.

HMS Ark Royal is the fifth Royal Navy vessel to bear the name.

Built in 1978 by Swan Hunter at Wallsend, she was launched by the Queen Mother, who remained the ship's patron, and after sea trials entered service in 1985.

She played a key role in the Balkans conflict in the early 1990s, mainly based in the Adriatic.

The Ark Royal, motto Zeal Does Not Rest, underwent a recent major refit at Rosyth naval dockyard in Scotland.

Aircraft carriers play a key role in modern warfare as they allow for reconnaissance of the enemy, are capable of landing special forces, act as a mobile airfield and a floating command and control centre.

The Ark Royal's carrier flight deck has been strengthened to take the Navy's new Merlin anti-submarine helicopters and she also received a new main mast and fresh combat systems in the two-year refit.

She can also carry Sea Harriers capable of air defence or ground attack, RAF Harrier GR7 surface attack planes, and Sea King helicopters.

The ship, and her 686 crew, working alongside 365 airmen and women, is protected by a Phalanx anti-missile system, Goalkeeper defence system and 20mm close-range guns.

The massive vessel is capable of 30 knots powered by her four Olympus gas turbines, similar to Concorde's supersonic engine.

The first Ark Royal, a 38-gun ship built for Sir Walter Raleigh, saw action against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

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Ark Royal's youngest crew member!>

by Emma Gunby, Liverpool Echo

A TEENAGER is to become the youngest serving crew member on board one of the navy's most illustrious ships.

Angela Scales, 18, from Huyton, is setting sail on the Ark Royal to the Gulf of Oman as thousands of British troops prepare for war with Iraq.

The former Knowsley High school pupil joined the Navy last May when she was 17.

She said: "I was at the Christmas dinner and one of the commanding officers in his speech told me I was the youngest crew member.

"I didn't have any idea. I'm really looking forward to going out to the Gulf and seeing some action."

Angela has a close connection with the Ark Royal - her grandfather Bob Smith helped build one of its predecessors at the Cammell Laird yard in Birkenhead in 1938.

Angela's aunt, Pauline O'Reilly, from West Derby, said: "It is really nice to think that there is this family connection with the boat.

"My dad was a shipbuilder and he helped to build one of the Ark Royals used during the Second World War.

"He used to be a delivery boy for a butcher's shop and would deliver to the big shipyards and one day somebody asked him if he wanted a better job and that is how he got his apprenticeship."

Angela sets sail for the Gulf next Monday and is expected to be away for ten months.

Her aunt added: "Obviously, we are all very worried about her. But we are also very proud, especially as she is the youngest one going."